Ellen DeGeneres to host the 2014 Oscars

Warner Bros. announced that "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" had been renewed through the 2016-2017 television season. The daytime talk show, now in its 10th season, continues to see ratings climb.

Warner Bros. announced that "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" had been renewed through the 2016-2017 television season. The daytime talk show, now in its 10th season, continues to see ratings climb. (Michael Rozman / AP)

Ellen DeGeneres was honored with the Mark Twain Prize, the top award in comedy, in Washington. "Washington, D.C., is so different from where I grew up," tweeted the New Orleans native ahead of being honored. "When you take your top off, no one throws beads." Lily Tomlin, a past Mark Twain Priz

Ellen DeGeneres was honored with the Mark Twain Prize, the top award in comedy, in Washington. "Washington, D.C., is so different from where I grew up," tweeted the New Orleans native ahead of being honored. "When you take your top off, no one throws beads." Lily Tomlin, a past Mark Twain Priz (Chris Pizzello / AP)

One Million Moms called for a boycott on JCPenney after DeGeneres became the retailer's spokesperson. One Million Moms put out a statement saying, "The majority of JC Penney shoppers will be offended and choose to no longer shop there." JCPenney stood by DeGeneres, as did Fox News' Bill...

One Million Moms called for a boycott on JCPenney after DeGeneres became the retailer's spokesperson. One Million Moms put out a statement saying, "The majority of JC Penney shoppers will be offended and choose to no longer shop there." JCPenney stood by DeGeneres, as did Fox News' Bill... (Gus Ruelas / AP)

DeGeneres scored the fourth judge's seat "American Idol" as a replacement for singer Paula Abdul. But DeGeneres left after only one season. While some fans enjoyed her quips, others critized DeGeneres' lack of experience in the music business. DeGeneres said she "didn't feel like the right fit"...

DeGeneres scored the fourth judge's seat "American Idol" as a replacement for singer Paula Abdul. But DeGeneres left after only one season. While some fans enjoyed her quips, others critized DeGeneres' lack of experience in the music business. DeGeneres said she "didn't feel like the right fit"... (Michael Becker / AP)

DeGeneres first started dating actress Portia de Rossi in 2004. The couple wed in 2008 during the four-month window gay marriage was legal in California. DeGeneres continues to advocate for marriage equality. She contributed $100,000 to oppose Prop. 8 when it was on the ballot in 2008, and i

DeGeneres first started dating actress Portia de Rossi in 2004. The couple wed in 2008 during the four-month window gay marriage was legal in California. DeGeneres continues to advocate for marriage equality. She contributed $100,000 to oppose Prop. 8 when it was on the ballot in 2008, and i (Chris Carlson / AP)

“We are thrilled to have Ellen DeGeneres host the Oscars," said the broadcast producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron in a statement Friday. “As a longtime friend, we had always hoped to find a project for us to do together and nothing could be more exciting than teaming up to do the Oscars. There are few stars today who have Ellen’s gift for comedy, with her great warmth and humanity. She is beloved everywhere and we expect the audience at the Dolby Theater, and in homes around the globe, will be as excited by this news as we are.”

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